Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and defensive back Mackensie Alexander were both named as candidates to major national award list on Tuesday.
Watson was named to the Maxwell Award watch list as the nation’s best player, while Alexander was named to the Jim Thorpe Award list as the nation’s best defensive back.
Watson threw for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns in just eight games, with a passing efficiency rating of 188.6 which was second in the country. Clemson’s offense averaged 530 yards and 42 points per game in 2014 when he played the majority of the snaps. He led the Tigers to a 35-14 victory over rival South Carolina in the regular-season finale, despite playing with a torn ACL.